​Supporting Māori into home ownership

04 Dec 2018

Around 30 whānau in the Manawatū region are a step closer to owning their own home,” says Te Puni Kōkiri Chief Executive Michelle Hippolite.

Te Tihi o Ruahine Whānau Ora Alliance based in Palmerston North is holding an information evening tonight about their home ownership trial that is part of a nationwide programme called Te Ara Mauwhare.

“Te Ara Mauwhare is an opportunity to look at innovative approaches to improving the current low rate of Māori home ownership, especially for low to median income whānau.

“Only 43 per cent of Māori own a home compared to 63 per cent of the general population so it’s critical we look at new ways to address that disparity,” says Mrs Hippolite.

Te Tihi o Ruahine and Te Puni Kōkiri are trailing a rent to own arrangement for whānau who have completed a financial literacy programme called Sorted Kāinga Ora. Te Puni Kōkiri will provide an initial equity grant while whānau accumulate sufficient capital to buy their homes outright.

“All of the trials include financial literacy support that will help whānau decide whether they are ready for home ownership or not,” says Mrs Hippolite.

Te Tihi has trained five of its staff to deliver the financial literacy programme called Sorted Kāinga Ora. Whānau need to attend the four-week programme starting in January to participate in the home ownership trial.

The trial run by Te Tihi o Ruahine Whānau Ora Alliance in Palmerston North is one of six home ownership trials initiated by Te Puni Kōkiri.